Portraits of Hawaiian royalty and significant figures in history by artist Guillem “Avi Molinas” Bort are on display in the Palaha Hawaiian Cultural Center at the Grand Wailea. — Grand Wailea photo

The Grand Wailea has opened the Palaha Hawaiian Cultural Center, which will host daily cultural activities and house works of art and artifacts.

“For the first time since opening our doors in 1991, Hawaiian culture has a physical home here at Grand Wailea,” said Kainoa Horcajo, director of culture at Grand Wailea. “In ‘olelo Hawai’i, Palaha means to spread out, encompass, to share far and wide.

“From here, culture spreads and permeates throughout the resort and beyond, hosting authentic experiences for guests, integrating and enhancing culture within every department, and encompassing connections into the greater Maui community.”

Palaha currently hosts the Na Aloha ‘Aina portrait series of Hawaiian royalty and significant figures in history by artist Guillem “Avi Molinas” Bort. Complementing the portrait collection are select artifacts on loan from the Hale Ho’ike’ike at the Bailey House Museum, including the Dr. Arthur C. Rothrock Oak Bench, a replica of a traditional chief’s helmet and weapons, and an actual precontact Lei Niho Palaoa, one of five necklaces in existence from Maui that were worn by chiefs.

Palaha’s doors officially opened on Feb. 6 with a grand opening reception and ceremony called Kukulu Kumuhana, which was led by the Grand Wailea cultural team and invited kumu.

The center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. For information on currently displayed art collections and cultural activities, visit the Hawaiian culture section at grandwailea.com.